LAFC Defeats Sporting KC To Win The US Open Cup, Giroud And Lloris Receive Their First Major League Soccer Trophy

In a historic victory for Major League Soccer, Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris secured their first-ever trophy as they helped lead LAFC to a triumphant win over Sporting KC in a thrilling match to claim the prestigious US Open Cup. 

This momentous achievement marked a significant milestone in their careers, showcasing their exceptional talent and contribution to the team’s success as they celebrated a well-deserved championship victory.

LAFC won the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time

Los Angeles FC defeated Sporting Kansas City 3-1 in overtime to win the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time, with two goals from Omar Campos and Kei Kamara. Olivier Giroud, a French striker, added another goal for LAFC, which won its fourth championship since the league’s founding in 2018. 

In 2019 and 2022, the team won the Major League Soccer Supporters Shield for being the best club during the regular season. In 2022, they defeated the Philadelphia Union in penalty kicks to win the MLS Cup. 

It was LAFC’s first time competing for the Open Cup title, and it ended a string of four consecutive title matches without a winner in different competitions. The Open Cup, the oldest national soccer competition, was celebrating its 109th season.

LAFC has advanced to both the Leagues Cup and U.S. Open Cup finals, putting them on track to play 46 games during the regular season. It participated in 53 games in the previous season, making it reach the MLS Cup and CONCACAF Champions League finals.

After Wednesday’s victory, LAFC has finished the previous two seasons 48-25-21 in all competitions.

Erik Thommy scored for Sporting KC

Sporting KC, who has won four previous Open Cup finals—the most recent one occurring in 2017.

Tim Melia, the goalie for Sporting KC, made three saves to help the first half remain scoreless. In the 53rd minute, Giroud scored for LAFC by beating two players and catching Melia out of the goal.

Giroud scored his second goal for LAFC in ten games since joining the team in early August. In the 60th minute, Tommy equalized the score with a rocket inside the near post following a cross from Dániel Sallói. 

After coming on as a second-half substitute, Campos scored his first goal with LAFC in the 102nd minute from atop the box. As the MLS regular season draws to a close, LAFC is currently fourth in the Western Conference, thanks to a header goal from Kamara, the second-highest goal scorer in MLS history. There will be no postseason qualification for Sporting Kansas City.

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